Hi Matt, Can't say how useful a good aerial would be. The next G was next to useless away from the towns. We had a couple of phone cards & used public land lines whenever we wanted to call home. (Only to let them know we were still alive). The only stretch in my opinion where a HF might be necessary is on the road from Bourketown to Borroroola as the roadhouse at Hell's Gate is closed. Still as I said there is a lot of traffic through the area in the cooler months. Bill